A GCM Simulation Study of the Influence of Saharan Evapotranspiration and Surface-Albedo Anomalies on July Circulation and Rainfall

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Abstract
The GLA (Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheres) GCM (general circulation model) was employed to investigate the influence of surface albedo and evapotranspiration anomalies that could result from the hypothetical semiarid vegetation over North Africa (including the Sahara desert) on its July circulation and rainfall. In the first experiment a soil moisture anomaly was prescribed over North Africa, whereas in the second experiment a soil moisture plus surface albedo anomaly was prescribed over North Africa. These two experiments used the first version of the GCM with the old parameterization of evaporation from failing rain drops and were compared with a control run that was made with climatologically normal boundary conditions. The third experiment had the soil moisture and surface albedo anomalies of the second experiment and was run with the second version of the model that included a recently modified parameterization of evaporation of falling rain. It was compared to its control that had climato... Abstract The GLA (Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheres) GCM (general circulation model) was employed to investigate the influence of surface albedo and evapotranspiration anomalies that could result from the hypothetical semiarid vegetation over North Africa (including the Sahara desert) on its July circulation and rainfall. In the first experiment a soil moisture anomaly was prescribed over North Africa, whereas in the second experiment a soil moisture plus surface albedo anomaly was prescribed over North Africa. These two experiments used the first version of the GCM with the old parameterization of evaporation from failing rain drops and were compared with a control run that was made with climatologically normal boundary conditions. The third experiment had the soil moisture and surface albedo anomalies of the second experiment and was run with the second version of the model that included a recently modified parameterization of evaporation of falling rain. It was compared to its control that had climato...

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